I don't think I've ever met anyone who enjoys discipline. We know that it's good for us and that we need to be pruned and rebuked so that we can grow in our knowledge of God and learn how to live godly lives.
But discipline and rebuke aren't something people get excited about.
We know for a fact that discipline and rebuke are important expressions of love because they bring us the truth. Just like what John 8:32 says, "The truth will set you free."
We all need the truth because it shows us the reality of the situation or even of our hearts and, consequently, how we can bring about change.
Nowadays, people will often bend towards the positive, feeding off praises, encouragements and motivation.
However, when faced with painful truths, most people would not always be as open.
And while taking criticism to an extreme is also not healthy, there is always a need for the truth even if it temporarily hurts us.
Speaking the Truth in Love
In Galatians 6:1, Paul tells us, "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted."
The command is clear: to speak the truth in love and gentleness. We all need the honest truth presented to us in a loving way.
Are you the kind of person who is ready to speak the truth in love, and—more importantly—ready to be spoken the truth to in love?
If not there's a high probability that you shy away from the truth because the truth hurts. While that's true, the temporary pain of the immediate truth is nothing compared to the greater pain of a truth not spoken out of fear.
Proverbs 27:6 says, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy."
A true friend is someone who will speak to us the truth in love. Do you have those kinds of friends? Are you that kind of friend?
Speaking the Truth in Love Is Not an Excuse to Be Critical
There is a difference between being critical and speaking the truth in love. You can be critical in a way that is not loving. At the end of the day, the best rule of thumb will always be our intent. What is our purpose in speaking rebuke and correction? Do we do it to berate and put down a person or do we do it to lift up that person?
But at the end of the day, the truth is what sets a true Christian's love apart from any other. We hold on to the truth because we know that it's what brings God's best intentions for us all. Are you ready to speak the truth in love and receive the truth in love? It's time to make that change today if you don't.
